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Religion shouldn’t be the fourth ‘R’
Mornington father Ross Clennett did everything right. He filled out the correct form, indicating he did not want his son, James, to receive religious instruction.
The 6-year-old never made mention of God, or Jesus Christ, so it came as a surprise to flick through his son’s workbooks and discover that he had been learning about both for all of 2013, due to a manual coding error.
The school apologised for the mistake, but Mr Clennett said the real fault is in allowing religious instruction in public schools in the first place.
“This kind of mix-up was bound to happen,” he said.
“I believe there is simply no place in a government-funded school for that kind of education.”
St Kilda mother Mel Mackintosh only realised halfway through 2013 that her daughter received religious instruction for 18 months, after a similar error.
“My daughter has been told many times that God created her and the world and all that’s in it,” she said.
“This wasn’t taught as a Christian idea or belief, but as a fact.”
Professor Marion Maddox of Macquarie University, an expert on the intersection of religion and politics, is a member of the Uniting Church but agrees with Mr Clennett and Ms Mackintosh.
One major problem, she said, is that most religious instruction offers only one view, and no context.
Often lessons end by asking students to pray, or make personal expressions of faith. Such activity enters the realm of proselytising, which is not allowed in public schools.
“We expect kids to learn a fully rounded maths curriculum taught by trained professionals,” Professor Maddox said. “Why does religion deserve anything less?”
Correction: This story has been altered. The original story said there was a legal obligation to run religion classes where a teacher was available, but it is only an Education Department guideline.konrad.marshall@fairfaxmedia.com.au

Same thing happened to my grandson (when about 7yr old). At home one day he sayd that he woz scared that he might be crucified one day. Turns out he woz getting taught Christian anxiety & shame & hate at school even tho daughter had filled in forms to keep him out of Religious Dogma classes.

What they were supposed to do, and what they failed to do, for him (& any other Non-Religion kid), woz, drag him out of the classroom, drag him up a corridor, and leev him in isolation in the corner of a big room.

Daughter took my 2 grandkids out of that small Christian Town's Primary School and enrolled them in a private Steiner School about 1 hr away -- end of problem.
mac.

Where education is a journey not a race…
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At Casuarina Steiner School we believe that:
- Education is a journey, not a race
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Situated on the sub-tropical Mid-North Coast, on the edge of beautiful bush land in the beachside city of Coffs Harbour, Casuarina Steiner School offers a unique education for girls and boys aged from 12 months to 13 years.

Casuarina Steiner School provides an education that is based on a balanced approach to learning. Alongside a very high standard of academic education, our curriculum places great importance on educating the head, heart and hands, thereby educating the whole person intellectually, artistically, socially and morally, so as to develop each student’s innate self-discipline and strength of body and will. Our next generation will need to be effective problem solvers, be adventurous to thrive in a changing world, strong to face the moral and ethical challenges that lie ahead and creative to bring out the beauty in the world and in themselves.

Based on the Steiner principles, we offer a nurturing environment to address the changing needs and capabilities of children at each stage of their development. Our methods of teaching ensure deep and rounded learning.

The school’s philosophy has grown out of the wisdom and insight of the philosopher, scientist and artist Rudolf Steiner. Using his picture of human growth and development, Casuarina Steiner School is one of over 1000 Steiner (or Waldorf) schools worldwide.

Arrange a visit – we welcome visitors and would love to show you around our school. If you would like to attend a school tour contact us by phone on (02) 6651 or via the Contact Us page to arrange a visit.

Religion shouldn’t be the fourth ‘R’
Mornington father Ross Clennett did everything right. He filled out the correct form, indicating he did not want his son, James, to receive religious instruction.
The 6-year-old never made mention of God, or Jesus Christ, so it came as a surprise to flick through his son’s workbooks and discover that he had been learning about both for all of 2013, due to a manual coding error.
The school apologised for the mistake, but Mr Clennett said the real fault is in allowing religious instruction in public schools in the first place.
“This kind of mix-up was bound to happen,” he said.
“I believe there is simply no place in a government-funded school for that kind of education.”
St Kilda mother Mel Mackintosh only realised halfway through 2013 that her daughter received religious instruction for 18 months, after a similar error.
“My daughter has been told many times that God created her and the world and all that’s in it,” she said.
“This wasn’t taught as a Christian idea or belief, but as a fact.”
Professor Marion Maddox of Macquarie University, an expert on the intersection of religion and politics, is a member of the Uniting Church but agrees with Mr Clennett and Ms Mackintosh.
One major problem, she said, is that most religious instruction offers only one view, and no context.
Often lessons end by asking students to pray, or make personal expressions of faith. Such activity enters the realm of proselytising, which is not allowed in public schools.
“We expect kids to learn a fully rounded maths curriculum taught by trained professionals,” Professor Maddox said. “Why does religion deserve anything less?”
Correction: This story has been altered. The original story said there was a legal obligation to run religion classes where a teacher was available, but it is only an Education Department guideline.konrad.marshall@fairfaxmedia.com.au

The world is being invaded by ignorant, religious fanatics, for sure.

That is one thing we do agree on Mac.

And, organized religion is paying a price for it too. The young generations are leaving churches at an unprecedented rate, and will continue to do so, IMO. They just aren't into all of that hate.